Orientation Information
New students who have paid the non-refundable enrollment deposit to the Office of Admissions will receive orientation information via mail or email. Please do not make travel plans and/or lodging reservations until the assigned orientation date has been confirmed in MyPortal.
Spring 2026 Orientation Dates
Below are the details for the in-person orientation sessions for students beginning classes at the College of Charleston. Please note that seating is limited, and reservations are on a first-come, first-served basis.
We do not offer online orientation sessions.
Spring 2026 orientation registration for students starting in the spring 2026 semester who have paid their enrollment deposit will open in early November. Students will receive an email when it is open. The deadline to register for orientation is December 18. Students who register after December 18 will attend the extended orientation (January 7 - 13).
Please visit the orientation website to learn more about orientation and how to register.
Spring 2026 orientation dates
January 5, 2026 - for freshman and ICHS students
January 6, 2026 - for transfer students
Summer 2026 orientation dates
Orientation registration will open in early March for students who have paid their enrollment deposit. Students will receive an email when registrastration is open in MyPortal.
Please note that there are a limited number of seats available that we will reserve on a first-come, first-served basis.
It is highly recommended that incoming freshman students attend an orientation session in June or July to help you be better prepared for your first college semester. The August 13 and 14 session is available to non-Honors freshman students who cannot attend the June or July session due to scheduling conflicts.
Summer orientation for Honors Scholars is divided into two components. All incoming Honors Scholars will sign up for courses virtually during the week of June 15th. You will receive specific instructions to attend a Zoom orientation (about 1 hour) and a Zoom advising session (about 30-40 minutes) with a faculty or staff advisor during regular business hours. The on-campus portions of orientation for Honors Scholars will take place during Session #13 on August 13th and 14th, following the students' move into the residence halls.
Women participating in panhellenic recruitment in August must attend an orientation session in June or July as the sorority recruitment dates conflict with the August 13 and 14 orientation session.
Session 1
June 15 and 16
ARCH Scholars program and SPECTRA student preferred; also open to all freshman students
Session 2
June 18 and 19
ARCH Scholars program and SPECTRA student preferred; also open to all freshman students
Session 3
June 22 and 23
ARCH Scholars program and SPECTRA student preferred; also open to all freshman students
Session 4
June 25 and 26
ARCH Scholars program and SPECTRA student preferred; also open to all freshman students
Session 5
July 6 and 7
ARCH Scholars program preferred; also open to all freshman students
Session 6
July 10
Open to all transfer students
Session 7
July 13 and 14
ARCH Scholars program preferred; also open to all freshman students
Session 8
July 16 and 17
ARCH Scholars program preferred; also open to all freshman students
Session 9
July 20
Open to all transfer students
Session 10
August 10
Open to all transfer students
Session 11
August 13 and 14
Open to all freshmen students only who live FARTHER than 700 miles away from Charleston, SC (students involved with sorority recruitment or Cougar Excursion will not be able to participate in this session); All Honors Scholars are required to attend this session; they will be able to move into their residence halls for an additional fee before the session begins.
Freshman students (not Honors Scholars) attending the Orientation session on August 13 and 14 will have a required virtual advising and registration session on July 22. If you cannot attend this virtual session, a partial fall semester schedule will be created for you, and you can complete your course registration when you attend an in-person advising and registration session on August 13 and 14. Please note: course options will be limited. It is advisable for you to attend the virtual advising and registration day to have the best course selection.
As orientation sessions are full and we are not able to accept any more registrations, the web page will be updated.